Defense or Independent Medical Exams?

Actually, there is rarely anything “Independent” about medical exams requested by an insurance company. The insurance company pays for the exam. It’s easy to understand that the doctor is biased. This quote from an “Independent” medical doctor is eye opening: “If you did a truly pure report,” he said later in an interview, “you’d be out on your ears and the insurers wouldn’t pay for it. You have to give them what they want, or you’re in Florida. That’s the game, baby.” Read the story from the New York Times. It deals with workers’ compensation in New York but it is certainly relevant for Wisconsin’s workers’ compensation claims. Something interesting about this article is the changes that NY has implimented for its “I.”M.E.’s. They allow the exams to be tape recorded or videotaped. Seems reasonable to me! In Wisconsin personal injury law plaintiffs’ attorneys who ask that an exam be taped or recorded receive a strong objection from the insurance company. Sometimes even having a friend or family member attend an exam isn’t allowed. Last I checked no Wisconsin Appellate Court has held whether a Defense Medical Exam (that is a more accurate description) performed for a personal injury claim may be tape recorded or videotaped. Federal Courts have held that a Defense Medical Exam regarding a psychiatric examination may be recorded. Zabkowicz v. West Bend Co., 585 F. Supp. 635 (E.D. Wis. 1974). (See this outline from an Insurance Defense Firm located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin).
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in West Allis, Sheboygan, Plymouth, and Germantown.
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